LANSING – State Representative Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) said tonight that Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative Republicans’ annual State of the State address only promises more of the same failed policies that have yet to create jobs for Michigan families or deliver the best possible education to our students.

“Middle-class families, senior citizens and students are suffering under the Republicans’ failed tax policies that haven’t created jobs and have taken money out of our classrooms and away from seniors living on fixed incomes,” said Yanez. “Michiganders have worked hard to make Michigan great, and our students are the future leaders we will depend on. They deserve better, and Democrats have introduced legislation that will put the people we serve first by creating tax fairness, restoring funding to our schools and creating jobs.”

This year’s State of the State address makes it clear that Republicans are doubling down on policies that have raised taxes on middle-class families, ravaged public schools and undermined our economic security. This year:

  • Families face smaller tax refunds, or no refunds at all, because of the loss of tax credits and deductions including the child tax deduction and a severely reduced Earned Income Tax Credit.

  • Seniors living on fixed incomes will continue struggling because of the retirement tax.

  • Students and teachers will continue to try to do more with less in their classrooms because of Republican cuts to education funding.

  • Women face greater economic struggles thanks to Republican approval of a new law making basic health care more costly.

  • Republicans continue to push gimmicks to address education including cyber schools and other entities that lack accountability and have yet to show any improvements.

“Lansing Republicans have focused on big corporations for too long,” said Yanez. “The families, seniors, students and small businesses of my communities are my priority. I will join my Democratic colleagues to fight hard for common-sense legislation that helps our workers provide for their families, helps seniors live comfortably, prepares students for college and the workforce, and helps our small businesses provide good jobs for our families and friends.”

Yanez said that he and the House Democrats will fight to make sure that the budget surplus, fixed at $971 million by state officials at their Jan. 10 revenue estimating conference, is invested in long-term tax relief for middle-class families and seniors who have shouldered the burden of corporate tax cuts for the past three years.